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Lied about having read a book?
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I would also be afraid to lie, cause what if the person asked me questions about the detailed plot lines? EEk!
I lied at school, does it counts? LOLI had terrible books to read at school and I almost never read them, just sad I did and got my grades anyway :D
I haven't lied, for the the same reason Lori is afraid to lie. What if they wanted to have a discussion about it?! Ahh! That would be embarrassing!
I would potentially lie about NOT reading a book as well...depending on what the book was and who I was lying to. I've been known to read some embarassing things!But otherwise I would never say I read something I didn't. Case in point, when I was in grade school my mom used to let me choose 2-3 books whenever one of those book order lists would be handed out at school. Some of my choices included Little Women by Louisa May Alcott and White Fang and The Call of the Wild by Jack London, all abridged of course.
For the longest time it never even occurred to me that these books were abridged so I'd always said, "yeah, I've read those books."
But a few years ago I was helping my mom clean out some old stuff and came across my old copies. Imagine my horror to realize that the only versions of those books I'd read were abridged (which doesn't count as having read the book, in my mind).
Because I loved Little Women so much, I immediately rectified that situation by reading that full one but haven't gotten around to reading the original versions of Jack London's yet. So maybe someday.
I would also think about lying about having not read a book. Some are embarassing to admit to, but not about having read it. Same thing Lori and everyone else said. How humiliating if you get caught?
Beth wrote: "I would potentially lie about NOT reading a book as well...depending on what the book was and who I was lying to. I've been known to read some embarassing things!But otherwise I would never sa..."
I feel the same way about abridged books!
I've only lied in English when I sparknoted Wuthering Heights instead of reading it. But if you look at my read list on GoodReads, it's not on there. I currently have every intention to actually read it now though.
All throughout high school I lied to my teachers about reading the assigned books and managed to fake my way through the tests and quizzes. I'm a good guesser.I LOVE reading. I've always loved reading. But I've always hated reading something merely because someone told me I had to. I've since gone back and read most of those books we were supposed to in high school (and many, many more!) and I would never lie about having read a book now.
I think thats really interesting that people would feel the need to lie .. but looking at some of the titles in some ways I can understand why they might..I've only ever lied in the same sense that I will have started a book and not liked it..OR if i've read sections of a novel for class than I'd probably say I read it because we'd discuss the entire book but only read maybe half.. but those would be the only reasons I'd say I read a book if I haven't read the whole thing..like how I read half of Lolita in 06 but for one reason or other never finished it.. I never said I read it till I picked up last month and reread it from the beginning..
I can't say I've ever felt the need to lie, but I can sort of see why people would. Everyone who knows me at all knows I'm a reader, so if something that "everybody" read in high school comes up, I'll get asked if I read it or what I thought of it or something. The reactions when I say I haven't are kind of funny and embarrassing at the same time. "You haven't read Animal Farm? Everyone had to read Animal Farm!" as their jaws drop, and their eyebrows and voices raise. But I still don't lie about it. I'll usually counter with, "Well, we did read..."
Leila wrote: "I just read this article at BBC News:http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainm...
Two out of three people admitted lying about reading a particular book to impress s..."
I lied in high school and college by getting Cliff Notes for assigned reading. If you were ask me now, I'd admit that my knowledge of a certain work was based on Cliff Notes or an abridged reading.
However, in the past several years, I've actually gone back and read the full version of something that was assigned for class, and have really enjoyed it (teachers do know best).
When I was a senior in high school, I watched the movie for A Passage to India instead of reading the book like I was supposed to. I was in a serious time crunch and a 1 1/2 hour movie was more doable than a 6 hour book (plus I did math homework while I watched it).Also, I never finished A Scarlet Letter in sophmore year...I just had one of my friends (who loved the book) tell me about it. I just couldn't get more than a page or two into in before I had to put it down (bored). I am planning on reading this one now that I am an adult and could perhaps appreciate it a bit more.
I've never lied about non-required reading, however! Don't much see the point, really.
Oh yeah, I also saw movies for high school instead of reading the books xD
Interesting about the abridged books - because I'd only recently come to realise that (blush!) I too was thoroughly convinced that I'd read the books I'd read in my early teens. I really was convinced, I tell you, until it dawned on me that no way did I read all those tomes at 13 years of age hahahahaAnd yes, I'm trying to rectify the situation. I'm on Anna Karenina, and Little Women is sitting pretty waiting to be read. I've also got Crime and Punishment somewhere, and yes, Call of the Wild is now calling calling calling....
I'm pretty honest about not reading a book. As one of the other posters said, If you haven't read it and someone asks you a question about it, you're basicall caught in a lie." If I started one and didn't finish it I'll ususally say, "Tried to read it but just couldn't." Another thing, my friends know my aversions to The Classics, so if it is a classic it is probably a big NO on if I read it or not.Another question: what if you listened to an audio book (unabridged) and someone asks if you've read it what do you say? I usually say, "Oh, I've read that! Well I really listened to it on tape." Kind of weird actually. Does the time you spent listening to the book (usually longer than reading it) still count as a read?
A funny story about a friend of mine who was conducting the discussion of a book at one of our meetings. She said she had finished the book a few weeks beforehand. The book was Life of Pi.***Spoiler Alert!***She asked the group if we thought the events actually happened or was the kid making it up. Busted!!!
I've lied about not reading a book in school before. In 11th and 12th grade we had to read 1000 pages of classics a quarter. I was in boarding school with a strict lights out by 10 pm. I was also in school plays, soccer team, and taking AP courses. There was no way that I could do all of the 1000 pages a quarter, plus what we read as a class, plus all of my reading for other classes... so i sparknoted it and no one was ever the wiser!And I've lied to my parents about reading the Bible... or rather, doing my devotions. I've disappointed them in so many other ways that that was one way I couldn't stand to not live up to expectations... though I think they know I don't read the Bible as much as I claim to...
Kathryn wrote: "I've lied about not reading a book in school before. In 11th and 12th grade we had to read 1000 pages of classics a quarter. I was in boarding school with a strict lights out by 10 pm. I was also i..."Wow! Forgot about the Bible. I always lied in Sunday school about reading the Bible. Ironic, isn't it?
Pamela wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've lied about not reading a book in school before. In 11th and 12th grade we had to read 1000 pages of classics a quarter. I was in boarding school with a strict lights out by 10 ..."I know right... my Dad is in the ministry so it makes it even worse, if you know what I mean. lol, I only thought about it because it was on the list. I would have thought higher. Some of them surprised me, like 1984... one of my favorites! And 42% lied about it.
Kathryn wrote: "Pamela wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I've lied about not reading a book in school before. In 11th and 12th grade we had to read 1000 pages of classics a quarter. I was in boarding school with a strict li..."Kathryn,
Ouch! That would make it hard. Tough to be a minister's kid, I bet. I remember the teachers' kids having a hard time too, they were some of the wildest ones that I knew.
I believe I've read 1984 way way back but can't be 100% certain. Otherwise, I haven't read any on that list. Saw the movie about Madame Bovary and I have Dreams of my Father on my PBS wish list. That's about as close as I get. I love the classics---if I can watch them, but I gave up on reading them long ago, even Jane Austen I have problems reading (love the films though).
I haven't read any of the books on that list - at least, not completely. I have read part of Animal Farm - didn't like it, and I've read large portions of the Bible (what else can you do in church when you lose interest in the sermon?), but many of the "classic" literature I found too boring to want to read. I just tell people I couldn't wade through it - I have too many other stressors to worry about what others think I should be reading! I read to relax and turn my mind off to the world, so if I'm not enjoying it, it's a waste of effort.I was a teachers and preachers kid, but I was the kind that figured my parents would find out everything, so I mostly read the required reading, but then forgot it as soon as possible.
I usually read what I was assigned in school. The only time I "lied" about reading an assigned book was when it was the second or third time I had to read it - I wasn't going to re-read it! (Particularly The Pearl and The Red Pony, both three-timers I wasn't that fond of.)
The only book I remember lying about reading was for school, The Wall by John Hersey. I read a significant chunk of it, but did not finish by the deadline and lied and said I had. (I never did finish it).
The only time I can think of when I lied about reading a book was semi-recently at work. There was this 13-year-old boy who kept asking for recommendations and I could not for the life of me remember what I liked to read at 13. (And I'm pretty sure it was stuff that wouldn't appeal to a boy anyway.) So he would pick up and book and ask if it was any good and I would just say yes.Also at work I tend to tell people that a certain book is good even if I haven't read it but if it has been raved about on TNBBC. :)
My last "book lie" was when I was 15. I was reading Stephen King's "Christine" (which today I think is fairly awful), my Dad took it back to the library (without asking me) and I went back to the library and re-checked out the book. When my Dad saw it on my nightstand, I told him it wasn't mine. Obviously I am a horrible liar! :)
I may start lying about reading the Twilight series just so people will quit bugging me about reading it. I finally went to se the movie and a friend asked me what I thought. My reply, "Torture." I don't know why but it just does not appeal to me.
My boyfriend read an article about this in some way. It was about how many books people think they have read and which. There is actually a list somewhere of the books people think most they have read but haven't.
It probably has something to do with the fact that sooo many books have been made into movies!For instance, I KNOW I haven't read Great Expectations, but having seen at least a couple of films adapted from it, somehow at the back of my mind I'm fairly convinced I've read it hahahaha
Fiona wrote: "No way, why lie when I've got loads of books I have read?Love that 48% people admitted to buying a..."
Thank God! I thought I was the only one. I bought my niece Twilight for Christmas, and felt so guilty when my husband caught me reading it!
I'll admit to lying when someone loans (or gives) me a book that they "just loved" and I not only didn't enjoy it, but actively disliked it or wasn't able to finish it.If it's someone close to me I'll generally tell the truth, but if it's a co-worker I don't see often or someone similar I just smile and make general remarks about what I did read.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainm...
Two out of three people admitted lying about reading a particular book to impress someone, the survey released to mark World Book Day found.
The top list of books people have lied about reading:
1. 1984 - George Orwell (42%)
2. War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy (31%)
3. Ulysses - James Joyce (25%)
4. The Bible (24%)
5. Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert (16%)
6. A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking (15%)
7. Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie (14%)
8. In Remembrance of Things Past - Marcel Proust (9%)
9. Dreams from My Father - Barack Obama (6%)
10. The Selfish Gene - Richard Dawkins (6%)
....
And so, I was wondering, have you ever lied about having read a book? Do you dare to confess? XD
Well, what do you think? :)
I have never lied to be honest although I do claim to have "read" Crime and Punishment and Heart of Darkness, even though I haven't finished them but that's because A) I disliked them so much that I couldn't finish them and B) I still know everything that happens in those books and all its literary importance since they were part of my exams and thus, I had to read/hear everything about them for a whole month or two.